SUPER FLY

On average, Porsche has taken around three seconds off the 911 GT3’s Nürburgring time every year for the last 22 years. Modest increments, perhaps, but ones that allow the new 992 to lap almost one whole minute faster than the original 996 - 7min 56.33sec plays 6min 59.93sec.

There is almost no comparison in terms of performance, and yet without even driving the 992 we know it will continue to feel and sound like a GT3 – still raw and focussed, still with a naturally aspirated flat six, still rear drive and even with the option of a manual gearbox.

As the breed evolves once again into its seventh generation, it’s a timely moment to revisit driving the car that laid down the template in 1999 and – with our comprehensive buying guide on page 34 - what to consider before taking the plunge.

There’s arguably no more representative example of a 996.1 GT3 than the car we’re driving at Sonoma racetrack in Northern California – not only